Dreaming First in Middleboro
The Homeowners: A Middleboro couple with an (almost) empty nest. After years of raising a busy family, and concentrating on renovations throughout the home, they were were finally able to realize their dream kitchen. With a generic layout and outdated oak cabinets, they had been tolerating the existing kitchen for long enough. Now that the kids are grown, they could finally devote the time and energy into the full remodel they had always wanted. The Remodel: Acting as their own General Contractors, our homeowners were proud to stay local with all aspects of their remodel, employing tradespeople almost all…
Juicing
It’s a new year, and many people are looking at ways to get healthy after holidays full of sugar and over-eating. Juicing has been shown to be an excellent way to detox, get the sugar and high fat out of your system and move away from sugar cravings. Juices give your body the nourishment that it’s missing from the typical American diet. Whether you try juicing once or twice a day instead of meals, or go on a complete juice fast, here are two basic recipes that taste great. Green Juice 1 apple Handful of baby spinach 1/4 of a…
Mocha Yule Log
TOTAL TIME: Prep: 65 min. + chilling Bake: 15 min. + cooling YIELD: 12 servings. Ingredients 5 large eggs, separated 1/2 cup cake flour 1/4 cup baking cocoa 1/4 teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar, divided 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar FILLING: 1-1/2 teaspoons instant coffee granules 1 cup heavy whipping cream 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar FROSTING: 1/3 cup butter, softened 2 cups confectioners’ sugar 1/3 cup baking cocoa 1 tablespoon brewed coffee, cooled 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract 2 to 3 tablespoons 2% milk Directions Place egg whites in a small bowl; let stand at room temperature 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Line…
Transitional Cottage Classic
This months featured kitchen is a classic, transitional kitchen. Today’s tastes are still leaning toward a classic look in a modern/cottage style. I like to call it the “quiet calm.” Simple lines to give the room a rich but elegant look. We designed beautiful transom cabinets to the ceiling to give the room that old world charm and custom built-in look. We accented only two cabinets with glass doors to not over power the area. A good transitional look needs to have simple lines, not cluttered, when completed. I love the contrast of the deep grey island that goes well…
Turkey Casserole
Who doesn’t love leftover turkey? Every time we have turkey, I make this casserole with the leftovers and maybe a few extra vegetables. It’s a big hit. Ingredients: 3c cooked turkey, light or dark meat, chopped into bite sized pieces l medium onion, diced 3 carrots, diced 2 stalks celery, diced 1c frozen peas, thawed, or green beans cut into bite sized pieces 2T olive oil, coconut oil or turkey fat 1-2c leftover gravy 3-4c leftover stuffing Saute the onions, carrots and celery in the oil or turkey fat until the vegetables are soft. Add the remaining vegetables. Heat through….
Beyond the Kitchen
Happy November everyone! I can’t believe we are at the end of the year already. It’s been a busy year here and we have completed a few more displays to update our showroom. The working kitchen area is next. We have some new and exciting things for that area that are all about today’s times. We also passed our 40th year. On November 6, 1979, I set foot into the small shop that I had built onto my mother’s garage for the first time. I had the enthusiasm of a little kid in a toy store and was wondering what…
Crock Pot Chick Stew
Full of tender, juicy, and flavorful protein and veggies, this Healthy Slow Cooker Chicken Stew with potatoes is a cozy, easy dinner recipe for chilly nights! Course: Dinner Cuisine: American Keyword: chicken stew, chicken stew with potatoes, slow cooker chicken stew Servings: 12 cups Calories: 162 kcal Author: Blair Ingredients 2 medium sweet onions, diced into bite-sized pieces 3 stalks celery, diced 4 carrots, peeled and sliced into rounds 2 medium russet potatoes, peeled and diced into small bite-sized pieces 1 bay leaf 2 teaspoons salt ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon dried thyme ½ teaspoon poultry seasoning 3–4 lbs. bone-in chicken breasts, skin removed 3 cups low-sodium chicken broth or chicken stock 1 tablespoon corn starch + 1 tablespoon cold water For garnish: chopped fresh parsley Instructions…
American Collection Kitchen
I’ve talked about the Americana Collection before in the newsletter and that it is a collection of cabinetry that is fashionable and affordable and it helps people get a kitchen between the $8,000.00 to $20,000.00. It was specifically designed to help these clients fit into their budget range. The kitchen featured this month fits the collection well. My clients were a young couple with a small family and had just purchased their first home, a raised ranch. As with anyone who indulges in their first home, budgets need to be tight to afford the things in the home that need…
Watermelon Granita
This is a perfect way to use watermelon that will go bad if not eaten soon! Not to mention very refreshing! INGREDIENTS 4 cups (1 3/4 pounds) cubed seedless watermelon (from a 4-lb. melon) 1/2 cup sugar 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice REPARATION Purée all ingredients in a blender until smooth. Pour into a 9 x 9 x 2″ metal baking pan. Freeze mixture for 1 hour. Stir, mashing any frozen parts with the back of a fork. Cover and freeze mixture until firm, about 2 hours. Using a fork, scrape granita vigorously to form icy flakes. DO AHEAD Can…
The Birth of “Dream First”
I’m sure we can all name many times in our lives when we caught ourselves dreaming of what life was going to be like. Or maybe it was just something that we yearned for, whether a possession or a person. I used to drift away many times when I was young, sitting in my bedroom and listening to music. Those were times that I thought I could have accomplished anything that I desired. I still believe many years later that anything is possible, especially when it comes to kitchen design. I’m at my creative best when I delve into a…